EU Enlargement & Montenegro: The EU is signaling real momentum on accession, with a working group drafting Montenegro’s accession treaty for the first time in 17 years—framed as both a geopolitical and security priority after Russia’s 2022 invasion. Ukraine Membership Friction: Several EU states are pushing for “no Western Balkans left behind” as they debate Ukraine’s accession pace, arguing for equal treatment across candidates. Western Balkans Tech & Security: A new push in cybersecurity is moving from perimeter defense to AI-native security, while the rise of agentic AI is driving demand for stronger identity and fraud controls. Identity Startup Funding: Didit raised an extra $6M seed round to expand its identity and fraud infrastructure platform, aiming for global growth and new product development. Montenegro Connectivity: Crnogorski Telekom rolled out 4 Gbps fibre speeds, a practical upgrade for faster local digital services. Research & Health: A study links coffee compounds like chlorogenic acid and caffeine to effects on breast cancer cell lines and related gene pathways. Nuclear Research Milestone (Region): Slovenia’s TRIGA research reactor marked 60 years, highlighting long-running nuclear science capacity in the region. Travel Value (Local Angle): Podgorica is listed among Europe’s best-value city breaks, landing in the top 10 in a 2026 cost barometer.